Mr. Peter Strachan:

I thank the Deputy for his comments on MetroLink. There are many lessons from Crossrail and mega-projects elsewhere but the distinct one from Crossrail is to get the project programme and governance right from the outset. These schemes are difficult to deliver and are multi-agency. It is about having the right governance structure, programme boards and leadership to deliver. I am aware that TII colleagues, as staff of the delivery agency, are taking the need to get the right people in the leadership of the project very seriously. I cannot overestimate that. In Crossrail, we were able to deliver on the latter stages of the Elizabeth line because we had a dedicated, highly competent leadership team, a highly competent programme director and a laser-like focus from the Commissioner of Transport for London. There are many other subplots but if you get the leadership and procurement strategy right and have the right delivery partners from the outset, it can be a success.